CAMPAIGN 2012

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – A central Florida Republican state representative whose name has been linked to a prostitution ring announced Monday he has dropped out of his re-election bid.

Representative Mike Horner announced his decision after being linked to the arrest of another man. The name “Mike Horner” was found on a list of names in the garbage of a defendant arrested in August for running a prostitution ring.

“I deeply regret decisions I made that are causing my family unjustifiable pain and embarrassment,” Horner said in a statement released by the Republican Party of Florida. “While current press accounts from this morning are erroneous, my family still deserves better from me, as do all my friends, supporters and constituents. So today, I am announcing I will no longer seek re-election to the Florida House.”

House Speaker-designate Will Weatherford said he believed Horner made the right decision.

“It is in the best interest of our state and his family,” Weatherford said. “As elected officials, we are held to a high standard and no member of the Florida House is above that standard.”

The 44-year-old Horner is married and has one son. He was elected to the Florida House in 2008 and was the vice-chair of the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee.